Modular Heel Footwear System

ABSTRACT

A modular heel footwear system is provided which may comprise an outsole portion of a footwear article having a first interlocking groove which may comprise a plurality of cavities disposed therein. The plurality of cavities may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relative one another. Further, the system may comprise a modular heel device which may comprise a second interlocking groove, having a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that may quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities. The plurality of locking tabs may be disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlocking groove relative one another. Additionally, the first interlocking groove may structurally correspond to the second interlocking groove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The global footwear market is estimated to be in the range of $500billion annually. Each year, consumers globally purchase around 15billion pairs of shoes or roughly two pairs per person on the planet.Further, only 10 national markets account for roughly 2/3 of the globalsales in footwear which means the per capita rate of footwear sales iseven higher in these markets. Moreover, new pairs of shoes are oftenbought when a user finds a defect in their old pair of shoes that theuser cannot fix. Not only does this drive the cost of shoes up for thosewho can least afford them, but it also creates a need in the market forsustainable footwear design and manufacturing.

Often, the first portion of an article of footwear to break down is theheel. Some articles of footwear are designed for athletic use and thetraction on the outsole of the shoe wear down making the shoe unsafe incertain conditions. Further, when the heel of athletic shoes wears downenough, the midsole and insole may become exposed and allowenvironmental elements such as water and dirt to penetrate through tothe user's foot. Additionally, some users walk in such a way that theyapply uneven pressure to the outsole of the shoe. In such cases, theheel of the shoe will wear unevenly over time, thus creatingmisalignment in the user's gait which can lead to chronic jointproblems.

Some articles of footwear are designed for fashion and aesthetic appealwhere the heel of the shoe is a large part of the shoe's design. Often,these types of shoes are not designed for durability and the heels ofsuch shoes are prone to breaking. For example, high-heel shoes are knownto break when the user accidentally steps upon a utility grate or thelike which lodges the heel into the grate and subsequently snaps theheel off as the user attempts to continue walking. Further, missteppingin high-heel shoes can also lead to the heel snapping off from theremainder of the shoe.

Generally, there is a need in the market to provide a footwear articlethat is reusable in nature even after the heel of the footwear articlebecomes faulty as the remainder of the footwear article still retainsvalue. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a footwear articlethat allows a user to replace the heel of the footwear article in amanner that is manageable for all users without the need ofprofessionals having footwear expertise. Further, it would beadvantageous to provide a footwear article that allows a user to replacethe heel of the footwear article for purely aesthetic reasons even ifthe heel is not physically defective in any way. Such a footwear articlewould provide the user the ability to increase the longevity of theirfootwear articles while simultaneously offering expanded aestheticflexibility for the user in crafting their desired fashion style.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a modular heel device to be used within amodular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a modular heel device inserted into a modularheel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of a modular heel device removed from a modularheel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of a modular heel device inserted into amodular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a modular heel device removed from amodular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a modular heel device inserted into amodular heel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A is a rear view of a modular heel device inserted into a modularheel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is a rear view of a modular heel device removed from a modularheel footwear system in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to any one of theparticular embodiments, which of course may vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and therefore is not necessarilyintended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appendedclaims, terms in the singular and the singular forms “a,” “an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a modular heel footwearsystem” also includes a plurality of modular heel footwear systems, andthe like.

In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is providedcomprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a firstinterlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises aplurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavitiesare disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlockinggroove relative one another; and a modular heel device comprising asecond interlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groovecomprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom thatquantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality oflocking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the secondinterlocking groove relative one another, and the first interlockinggroove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove.

In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises at least a portion ofa midsole, an insole or a shank of the footwear article.

In some embodiments, the outsole portion and the modular heel device areshaped to couple together in an inserted state and to separate from oneanother in a removed state.

In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises a plurality ofrelease actuators that enable transition from the inserted state to theremoved state.

In some embodiments, in the inserted state, at least one of theplurality of release actuators, at least one of the plurality of lockingtabs and at least one of the plurality of cavities are collectivelyaligned along a common axis.

In some embodiments, in the inserted state, each of the plurality oflocking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the pluralityof cavities.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises adefault state where the locking tab is fully extended out of one or moreexterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs comprises adepressed state where the locking tab is fully inserted into one or moreexterior surfaces of the second interlocking groove.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of locking tabs moves betweenan extended state and a depressed state via force being applied to oneor more springs.

In some embodiments, the outsole portion comprises a plurality ofrelease actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of lockingtabs into the depressed state.

In some embodiments, the modular heel device is disposed within a rearhalf portion of the outsole portion.

In some embodiments, the modular heel device is disposed within a fronthalf portion of the outsole portion.

In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove comprises asemicircular concave shape.

In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove comprises a U-shapedgroove facing an interior of the outsole portion.

In some embodiments, the first interlocking groove is disposed about aperimeter of the outsole portion.

In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove comprises asemicircular convex shape.

In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove comprises a U-shapedgroove facing a perimeter of the outsole portion.

In some embodiments, the second interlocking groove is disposed about aperimeter of the modular heel device.

In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is providedcomprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a firstinterlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises aplurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavitiesare disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlockinggroove relative one another; a modular heel device comprising a secondinterlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groove comprises aplurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitativelycorrespond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality of locking tabsare disposed symmetrically along the length of the second interlockinggroove relative one another, the first interlocking groove structurallycorresponds to the second interlocking groove; and the outsole portionand the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an insertedstate and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein: theoutsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that enabletransition from the inserted state to the removed state, in the insertedstate, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least oneof the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality ofcavities are collectively aligned along a common axis, and in theinserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposedwithin a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities.

In some embodiments, a modular heel footwear system is providedcomprising an outsole portion of a footwear article comprising a firstinterlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises aplurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality of cavitiesare disposed symmetrically along the length of the first interlockinggroove relative one another; and a modular heel device comprising asecond interlocking groove, wherein: the second interlocking groovecomprises a plurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom thatquantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities, the plurality oflocking tabs are disposed symmetrically along the length of the secondinterlocking groove relative one another, and the first interlockinggroove structurally corresponds to the second interlocking groove; andthe outsole portion and the modular heel device are shaped to coupletogether in an inserted state and to separate from one another in aremoved state, wherein: each of the plurality of locking tabs movesbetween an extended state and a depressed state via force being appliedto one or more springs, the outsole portion comprises a plurality ofrelease actuators that, when actuated, place the plurality of lockingtabs into the depressed state, and in the inserted state, each of theplurality of locking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity ofthe plurality of cavities.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in theaccompanying figures. As shown in FIG. 1 , a side view of a modular heeldevice 100 is provided. The modular heel device 100 may comprise anysuitable shape that a heel portion of a footwear article may take. Whilethe modular heel device 100 is shown in FIG. 1 to be generally a solidsemicircular shape, the modular heel device 100 may be verticallyelongate, cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, conical and the like orany combination thereof.

The modular heel device 100 may further comprise an upper portion 110 aand a lower portion 110 b separated by at least one first interlockinggroove 120. The upper portion 110 a may comprise a vertical thicknessthat is between 1/20 and 1/2 of a vertical thickness of the lowerportion 110 b, but preferably between 1/15 and 1/4, and more preferablybetween 1/10 and 1/5.

Moreover, the first interlocking groove 120 may comprise any suitableshape including, but not limited to, rectangular, cylindrical,triangular and the like or any combination thereof. Therefore, the firstinterlocking groove 120 may comprise an upper surface adjacent the upperportion 110 a, an inner surface adjacent an interior portion of themodular heel device 100, and a lower surface adjacent the lower portion110 b. The first interlocking groove 120 may be formed within an outersurface of the modular heel device 100 such that the first interlockinggroove 120 is formed around between 1/2 and 4/5 of a total outer surfacehorizontal surface length of the modular heel device 100. The firstinterlocking groove 120 may comprise a vertical thickness that isbetween 1/2 and 3/2 of the vertical thickness of the upper portion 110a, but preferably between 3/5 and 5/4, and more preferably between 3/4and 11/10.

Further, the modular heel device 100 may comprise at least one lockingtab 130 that may be disposed upon the upper portion 110 a of the modularheel device 100. Alternatively, the locking tab 130 may be disposed uponthe lower portion 110 b of the modular heel device 100. Further, thelocking tab 130 may alternatively be disposed upon the upper surface,inner surface and/or lower surface of the first interlocking groove 120.

The locking tab 130 may move between a default depressed state and anextended state. In the depressed state the locking tab 130 is fullydepressed into the upper portion 110 a such that it is flush with theouter surface of the upper portion 110 a. If the locking tab 130 isdisposed within the interlocking groove 120, then in the depressed statethe locking tab 130 would be fully depressed into the upper portion 110a such that it is flush with the upper surface, inner surface and/orlower surface of the first interlocking groove 120. In the extendedstate the locking tab 130 is fully extended out of the upper portion 110a such that it protrudes from the outer surface of the upper portion 110a. If the locking tab 130 is disposed within the interlocking groove120, then in the extended state the locking tab 130 would be fullyextended out of the upper portion 110 a such that it protrudes from theupper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the firstinterlocking groove 120.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a side view of a modular heel footwear system 200is provided. The modular heel footwear system 200 comprises an outsoleportion 210 having a modular heel device 220 inserted therein. In thisand every other embodiment, the outsole portion may comprise any part ofone or more of a heel, an outsole, a midsole, an insole, a shank and thelike of the footwear system 200. The modular heel footwear system 200may further comprise a footwear securement portion 230 and a footwearmaterial portion 240 disposed upon the outsole portion 210. The outsoleportion 210 further comprises a release actuator 250.

The outsole portion 210 may receive insertion of the modular heel device220 via the first interlocking groove 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 .Specifically, the outsole portion 210 may have a complimentary structureto that of the first interlocking groove 120 to securely receive themodular heel device 220 therein. The complimentary structure of theoutsole portion 210 may utilize frictional engagement with the firstinterlocking groove 120 to retain the modular heel device 220 therein.Additionally, the complimentary structure of the outsole portion 210 maycomprise a recess disposed as a cavity therein that is structured toreceive the locking tab 130 of FIG. 1 therein as the modular heel device220 is inserted into the outsole portion 210.

As described with reference to FIG. 1 , the locking tab 130 may movebetween the depressed state and the extended state via magnetic force,spring force or other restorative force. Therefore, upon the modularheel device 220 being initially inserted into the outsole portion 210,the locking tab 130 in the default extended state comes into contactwith an interior surface of the outsole portion 210. The interiorsurface of the outsole portion 210 will depress the locking tab 130 fromthe default extended state into the depressed state to allow the lockingtab 130 to move along the interior surface as the modular heel device220 is inserted into the outsole portion 210.

As the modular heel device 220 is fully inserted into the outsoleportion 210, the locking tab 130 in the depressed state will reach therecess of the complimentary structure of the outsole portion 210 whichwill allow the locking tab 130 to extend back into the default extendedstate and thereby be inserted within the cavity of the recess. Therecess may be structured in such a way as to not allow the locking tab130 to escape the recess once it is disposed therein.

The release actuator 250 may be utilized to release the modular heeldevice 220 from its coupling to the outsole portion 210. This processmay be executed by a user depressing the release actuator 250 which maybe aligned with the recess of the outsole portion 210 and the lockingtab 130 of the modular heel device 220. Depressing the release actuator250 will cause the release actuator 250 to enter the recess and depressthe locking tab 130 from the default extended state into the depressedstate. Once the locking tab 130 is depressed into the depressed state,the modular heel device 220 is free to to be removed from the outsoleportion 210 via the first interlocking groove 120 of the modular heeldevice 220 sliding relative the complimentary structure of the outsoleportion 210.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a bottom view of a modular heel footwear system 300is provided having an outsole portion 310 removed from a modular heeldevice 320. The outsole portion 310 may comprise an interior structurethat is complementary to an exterior structure of the modular heeldevice 320. Specifically, the modular heel device 320 may comprise aplurality of locking tabs 330 b that are structured to be received by acorresponding plurality of recesses 330 a of the outsole portion 310.Further, the modular heel device 320 may comprise a first interlockinggroove 340 b that is structured to physically interlock with acomplimentary second interlocking groove 340 a.

Some or all of the plurality of locking tabs 330 b may be disposedwithin the first interlocking groove 340b. Alternatively and withreference to FIG. 1 , some or all of the plurality of locking tabs 330 bmay be disposed within the upper portion 110 a of the modular heeldevice 320. Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of locking tabs330 b may be disposed within the second interlocking groove 340 a or anystructural portion of the second interlocking groove 340 a that at leastin part defines the space within the groove 340 a.

Further, some or all of the plurality of recesses 330 a may be disposedwithin the second interlocking groove 340 a. Alternatively, some or allof the plurality of recesses 330 a may be disposed within any structuralportion of the second interlocking groove 340 a that at least in partdefines the space within the groove 340 a. Alternatively, some or all ofthe plurality of recesses 330 a may be disposed within the firstinterlocking groove 340 b or, with reference to FIG. 1 , within theupper portion 110 a of the modular heel device 320. In this and everyother embodiment, the plurality of recesses 330 a and the plurality oflocking tabs 330 b may be disposed along any portion of any exteriorsurface of the first interlocking groove 340 b or the secondinterlocking groove 340 a.

The locking tabs 330 b may each move between a default depressed stateand an extended state. In the depressed state each locking tab 330 b isfully depressed into the first interlocking groove 340 b such that it isflush with an outer surface of the first interlocking groove 340 b.Specifically, in the depressed state each locking tab 330 b may be fullydepressed into the first interlocking groove 340 b such that it is flushwith an upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the firstinterlocking groove 340 b. In the extended state each locking tab 330 bis fully extended out of the first interlocking groove 340 b such thatit protrudes from the outer surface of the first interlocking groove 340b. Specifically, in the extended state each locking tab 330 b may befully extended out of the first interlocking groove 340 b such that itprotrudes from the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface ofthe first interlocking groove 340 b.

The outsole portion 310 may receive the modular heel device 320 via thefirst interlocking groove 340 b being inserted into the secondinterlocking groove 340 a. Specifically, the second interlocking groove340 a may have a complimentary structure to that of the firstinterlocking groove 340 b in order to securely receive the modular heeldevice 320 therein. The complimentary structure of the secondinterlocking groove 340 a may utilize frictional engagement with thefirst interlocking groove 340 b to retain the modular heel device 320therein. For example, if the first interlocking groove 340 b comprises acavity that is rectangular in shape formed in part by a protruding upperridge that is also rectangular (for example, the upper portion 110 a ofFIG. 1 ), then the second interlocking groove 340 a may comprise acomplimentary cavity that is rectangular in shape to receive theprotruding upper ridge while further comprising a protruding lower ridgethat is rectangular in shape to be received by the cavity of the firstinterlocking groove 340 b.

Each locking tab 330 b may move between the depressed state and thedefault extended state via magnetic force, spring force or otherrestorative force. Therefore, upon the modular heel device 320 beinginitially inserted into the outsole portion 310, each locking tab 330 bin the default extended state comes into contact with an exteriorsurface of the second interlocking groove 340 a of the outsole portion310. The exterior surface of the second interlocking groove 340 a willdepress each locking tab 330 b from the default extended state into thedepressed state to allow each locking tab 330 b to move along theexterior surface the second interlocking groove 340 a as the modularheel device 320 is inserted into the outsole portion 310.

As shown in FIG. 3B, a bottom view of a modular heel footwear system 300is provided having the outsole portion 310 coupled to the modular heeldevice 320. As the modular heel device 320 is fully inserted into theoutsole portion 310, each locking tab 330 b in the depressed state willreach an associated recess 330 a of the plurality of recesses 330 awhich will allow each locking tab 330 b to extend back into the defaultextended state and thereby be inserted within the associated recess 330a of the plurality of recesses 330 a. Each recess 330 a may bestructured in such a way as to not allow the associated locking tab 330b to escape the recess 330 a once it is disposed therein.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a perspective view of a modular heel footwearsystem 400 is provided having an outsole portion 410 removed from amodular heel device 420. The outsole portion 410 may comprise aninterior structure that is complementary to an exterior structure of themodular heel device 420. Specifically, the modular heel device 420 maycomprise a plurality of locking tabs 430 b that are structured to bereceived by a corresponding plurality of recesses 430 a of the outsoleportion 410. Further, the modular heel device 420 may comprise a firstinterlocking groove 440 b that is structured to physically interlockwith a complimentary second interlocking groove 440 a. Additionally, theoutsole portion 410 may comprise a plurality of release actuators 450 torelease the coupling between the plurality of locking tabs 430 b fromthe plurality of recesses 430 a. The number of release actuators 450utilized on the outsole portion 410 may correspond directly to thenumber of locking tabs 430 b and recesses 430 a utilized. Further, theshape of the release actuators 450 utilized may correspond directly tothe shape of the locking tabs 430 b and recesses 430 a utilized.

The locking tabs 430 b may each move between a default depressed stateand an extended state. In the depressed state each locking tab 430 b isfully depressed into the first interlocking groove 440 b such that it isflush with an outer surface of the first interlocking groove 440 b.Specifically, in the depressed state each locking tab 430 b may be fullydepressed into the first interlocking groove 440 b such that it is flushwith an upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface of the firstinterlocking groove 440 b. In the extended state each locking tab 430 bis fully extended out of the first interlocking groove 440 b such thatit protrudes from the outer surface of the first interlocking groove 440b. Specifically, in the extended state each locking tab 430 b may befully extended out of the first interlocking groove 440 b such that itprotrudes from the upper surface, inner surface and/or lower surface ofthe first interlocking groove 440 b.

The outsole portion 410 may receive the modular heel device 420 via thefirst interlocking groove 440 b being inserted into the secondinterlocking groove 440 a. Specifically, the second interlocking groove440 a may have a complimentary structure to that of the firstinterlocking groove 440 b in order to securely receive the modular heeldevice 420 therein. The complimentary structure of the secondinterlocking groove 440 a may utilize frictional engagement with thefirst interlocking groove 440 b to retain the modular heel device 420therein. Additionally, the first interlocking groove 440 b and secondinterlocking groove 440 a may utilize any suitable means of maintainingengagement therebetween including, but not limited to, magnets, hook andloop fasteners, clips, clasps, snaps, buttons and the like or anycombination thereof.

For example, if the first interlocking groove 440 b comprises a cavitythat is rectangular in shape formed in part by a protruding upper ridgethat is also rectangular (for example, the upper portion 110 a of FIG. 1), then the second interlocking groove 440a may comprise a complimentarycavity that is rectangular in shape to receive the protruding upperridge while further comprising a protruding lower ridge that isrectangular in shape to be received by the cavity of the firstinterlocking groove 440 b.

Each locking tab 430 b may move between the depressed state and thedefault extended state via magnetic force, spring force or otherrestorative force. Therefore, upon the modular heel device 420 beinginitially inserted into the outsole portion 410, each locking tab 430 bin the default extended state comes into contact with an exteriorsurface of the second interlocking groove 440 a of the outsole portion410. The exterior surface of the second interlocking groove 440 a willdepress each locking tab 430 b from the default extended state into thedepressed state to allow each locking tab 430 b to move along theexterior surface the second interlocking groove 440 a as the modularheel device 420 is inserted into the outsole portion 410.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a perspective view of a modular heel footwearsystem 400 is provided having the outsole portion 410 coupled to themodular heel device 420. Each of the plurality of release actuators 450may be utilized to release the modular heel device 420 from its couplingto the outsole portion 410. Specifically, this process may be executedby a user depressing the plurality of release actuators 450 each ofwhich may be aligned with a respective recess 430 a of the plurality ofrecesses 430 a and a respective locking tab 430 b of the plurality oflocking tabs 430 b. Depressing each release actuator 450 may cause therelease actuator 450 to enter the associated recess 430 a and therebydepress the associated locking tab 430 b from the default extended stateinto the depressed state. Once each locking tab 430 b is depressed intothe depressed state, the modular heel device 420 is free to to beremoved from the outsole portion 410 via the first interlocking groove440 b of the modular heel device 420 sliding relative the secondinterlocking groove 440 a of the outsole portion 410.

While the release actuators 450 are described as being actuated viadepression by a user, the release actuators 450 may be actuated via anysuitable manner such as, but not limited to, downward actuation,sideways actuation, sliding motion, spring motion, removal, insertionand the like or any combination thereof. Further, while the releaseactuators 450 are depicted in FIG. 4A as being cross-sectionallycircular, the release actuators 450 may have any suitablecross-sectional shape including, but not limited to, rectangular,elliptical, triangular, concave, convex and the like or any combinationthereof.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a rear view of a modular heel footwear system 500is provided having an outsole portion 510 coupled to a modular heeldevice 520. Both of the outsole portion 510 and modular heel device 520are shown in cross-section in a coupled configuration. The outsoleportion 510 comprises a plurality of release actuators 530 that may eachbe disposed along surfaces of the interlocking grooves 540. Theinterlocking grooves 540 depicted in FIG. 5A show both the grooves ofthe outsole portion 510 and modular heel device 520 being interlockedtogether.

Further, the interlocking grooves 540 of the outsole portion 510 andmodular heel device 520 are shown in FIG. 5A to have a generallyrectangular dimensional form factor, but each set of grooves 540 maycomprise any complimentary shape relative one another including, but notlimited to, rectangular, cylindrical, triangular and the like or anycombination thereof. Additionally, FIG. 5A is illustrated such that thelocking tabs (not shown) are disposed within the associated recesses(not shown) behind the interlocking grooves 540. Springs are shown to bedisposed within a cavity of the modular heel device 520 and specificallywithin a cavity of the upper portion 110 a as referenced in FIG. 1 ofthe modular heel device 520.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a rear view of a modular heel footwear system 500is provided having an outsole portion 510 removed from a modular heeldevice 520. Both of the outsole portion 510 and modular heel device 520are shown in cross-section in an uncoupled configuration. The outsoleportion 510 is shown in FIG. 5B to comprise a second interlocking groove540 a that is generally semicylindrical with a rectangularcross-sectional form factor. The modular heel device 520 is shown inFIG. 5B to comprise a first interlocking groove 540 b that has agenerally semicylindrical shape with a rectangular cross-section formfactor such that the first interlocking groove 540 b is structurallycomplimentary to the second interlocking groove 540 a.

Further, the outsole portion 510 comprises a plurality of recesses 530 athat are shaped to accept the locking tabs 530 b upon insertion of themodular heel device 520 into the outsole portion 510 via coupling of thesecond interlocking groove 540 a with the first interlocking groove 540b. Advantageously, each locking tab 530 b may terminate at a distal end,where the distal end of each locking tab 530 b tapers at a first sidetowards an opposite second side. The first side may be the side closestto the second interlocking groove 540 a upon insertion of the modularheel device 520 into the outsole portion 510. Such a structuralconfiguration allows the locking tabs 530 b to easily transition fromthe default extended state into the depressed state upon contacting thesecond interlocking groove 540 a. The tapered distal end contacting thesecond interlocking groove 540 a creates an inward force component whena user applies force to insert the modular heel device 520 into theoutsole portion 510 via alignment of the first and second interlockinggrooves 540 a, 540 b.

With regard to various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5B, a modular heelfootwear system disclosed therein may comprise an outsole portion of afootwear article which may itself comprise a first interlocking groove.The first interlocking groove may comprise a plurality of cavitiesdisposed therein. The plurality of cavities may be disposed orpositioned symmetrically along the length of the first interlockinggroove relative one another such that, for example, they are equidistantfrom both a midpoint of the first interlocking groove and also theterminal ends thereof. The modular heel footwear system may furthercomprise a modular heel device which itself may comprise a secondinterlocking groove. The second interlocking groove may comprise aplurality of locking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitativelycorrespond to the plurality of cavities such that, for example, an equalnumber of locking tabs and cavities are utilized. The plurality oflocking tabs may be disposed symmetrically along the length of thesecond interlocking groove relative one another such that, for example,they are equidistant from both a midpoint of the second interlockinggroove and also the terminal ends thereof. The first interlocking groovemay structurally correspond to the second interlocking groove such that,for example, the first and second interlocking grooves may physicallyinterlock via complimentary interlocking shapes. The outsole portion andthe modular heel device may be shaped to couple together in an insertedstate and to separate from one another in a removed state. The outsoleportion may comprise a plurality of release actuators that enabletransition from the inserted state to the removed state. In the insertedstate, at least one of the plurality of release actuators, at least oneof the plurality of locking tabs and at least one of the plurality ofcavities may be collectively aligned along a common axis. Further, inthe inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposedwithin a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities.Additionally, in some embodiments of FIGS. 1-5B, each of the pluralityof locking tabs may move between an extended state and a depressed statevia force being applied to one or more springs. The outsole portion maycomprise a plurality of release actuators that, when actuated, place theplurality of locking tabs into the depressed state.

While one general type of footwear is illustrated throughout FIGS. 1-5 ,any suitable type of footwear may be utilized including, but not limitedto, high-heels, wedges, shock-absorbing heels, air-cushioned heels,dress-shoe heels and the like or any combination thereof. Further, allelements described in FIGS. 1-5 may be made from any suitable materialincluding, but not limited to, leathers, textiles, synthetics, rubber,foam, plastic, wood, metals and the like or any combination thereof.

Additionally, while FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an outsole portion at a rearpart of the outsole of the footwear as the portion to receive a modularheel device, it is to be understood that the structure, functionalityand materials utilized for each element of FIGS. 1-5 may be implementedwithin other portions of the footwear including, but not limited to, theheel, the outsole, the insole, the midsole, the the quarter, the vamp,the toe spring, the shank, the feather edge, the toe cap, the welt andthe like or any combinations thereof. Specifically, the sameinterlocking grooves, recesses, locking tabs and related componentsdescribed within FIGS. 1-5 may be utilized to turn the aforementionedportions of the footwear into modular removable portions in similarmanner to the outsole portion and modular heel device.

Further, a modular heel device is described as being the component thatis modularly inserted into and removed from an outsole portion disposedwithin a rear half portion of the outsole. However, a front half portionof the outsole may comprise identical structural and functional featuresas that described with regard to the rear portion in FIGS. 1-5 .Specifically, the front half portion of the outsole may comprise aplurality of locking tabs, a plurality of recesses, first and secondinterlocking grooves, a plurality of release actuators, a plurality ofcavities and the structure and function associated with each of theaforementioned listed elements as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4A &4B and described with reference to FIGS. 4A & 4B in the precedingparagraphs.

The specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense. However, it will be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made thereunto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the claims. Other variations are within the spirit of thepresent disclosure. Thus, while the disclosed techniques are susceptibleto various modifications and alternative constructions, certainillustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have beendescribed above in detail. It should be understood, however, that thereis no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appendedclaims.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term“connected,” where unmodified and referring to physical connections, isto be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, orjoined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation ofranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited. The use of theterm “set” (e.g., “a set of items”) or “subset” unless otherwise notedor contradicted by context, is to be construed as a nonempty collectioncomprising one or more members. Further, unless otherwise noted orcontradicted by context, the term “subset” of a corresponding set doesnot necessarily denote a proper subset of the corresponding set, but thesubset and the corresponding set may be equal.

Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B,and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” is understood with the contextas used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either Aor B or C, or any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C, unlessspecifically stated otherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having threemembers, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “atleast one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B},{C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctive languageis not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C each to bepresent. In addition, unless otherwise noted or contradicted by context,the term “plurality” indicates a state of being plural (e.g., “aplurality of items” indicates multiple items). The number of items in aplurality is at least two, but can be more when so indicated eitherexplicitly or by context.

The use of any examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of theinvention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the inventionunless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to thepractice of the invention.

Embodiments of this disclosure are described, including the best modeknown to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations ofthose embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilledartisans to employ such variations as appropriate and the inventorsintend for embodiments of the present disclosure to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of thesubject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted byapplicable law. Moreover, although above-described elements may bedescribed in the context of certain embodiments of the specification,unless stated otherwise or otherwise clear from context, these elementsare not mutually exclusive to only those embodiments in which they aredescribed; any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the scope of the presentdisclosure unless otherwise indicated or otherwise clearly contradictedby context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extentas if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety.

1. A modular heel footwear system, comprising: an outsole portion of afootwear article comprising a first interlocking groove, wherein: thefirst interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavities disposedtherein, and the plurality of cavities are disposed symmetrically alongthe length of the first interlocking groove relative one another; and amodular heel device comprising a second interlocking groove, wherein:the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabsprotruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality ofcavities, the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically alongthe length of the second interlocking groove relative one another, andthe first interlocking groove structurally corresponds to the secondinterlocking groove.
 2. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1,wherein the outsole portion comprises at least a portion of a midsole,an insole or a shank of the footwear article.
 3. The modular heelfootwear system of claim 1, wherein the outsole portion and the modularheel device are shaped to couple together in an inserted state and toseparate from one another in a removed state.
 4. The modular heelfootwear system of claim 3, wherein the outsole portion comprises aplurality of release actuators that enable transition from the insertedstate to the removed state.
 5. The modular heel footwear system of claim4, wherein, in the inserted state, at least one of the plurality ofrelease actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs and atleast one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned along acommon axis.
 6. The modular heel footwear system of claim 3, wherein, inthe inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs are disposedwithin a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities.
 7. Themodular heel footwear system of claim 1, wherein each of the pluralityof locking tabs comprises a default state where the locking tab is fullyextended out of one or more exterior surfaces of the second interlockinggroove.
 8. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1, wherein each ofthe plurality of locking tabs comprises a depressed state where thelocking tab is fully inserted into one or more exterior surfaces of thesecond interlocking groove.
 9. The modular heel footwear system of claim1, wherein each of the plurality of locking tabs moves between anextended state and a depressed state via force being applied to one ormore springs.
 10. The modular heel footwear system of claim 9, whereinthe outsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that,when actuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressedstate.
 11. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1, wherein themodular heel device is disposed within a rear half portion of theoutsole portion.
 12. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1,wherein the modular heel device is disposed within a front half portionof the outsole portion.
 13. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1,wherein the first interlocking groove comprises a semicircular concaveshape.
 14. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1, wherein thefirst interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing an interiorof the outsole portion.
 15. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1,wherein the first interlocking groove is disposed about a perimeter ofthe outsole portion.
 16. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1,wherein the second interlocking groove comprises a semicircular convexshape.
 17. The modular heel footwear system of claim 1, wherein thesecond interlocking groove comprises a U-shaped groove facing aperimeter of the outsole portion.
 18. The modular heel footwear systemof claim 1, wherein the second interlocking groove is disposed about aperimeter of the modular heel device.
 19. A modular heel footwearsystem, comprising: an outsole portion of a footwear article comprisinga first interlocking groove, wherein: the first interlocking groovecomprises a plurality of cavities disposed therein, and the plurality ofcavities are disposed symmetrically along the length of the firstinterlocking groove relative one another; a modular heel devicecomprising a second interlocking groove, wherein: the secondinterlocking groove comprises a plurality of locking tabs protrudingtherefrom that quantitatively correspond to the plurality of cavities,the plurality of locking tabs are disposed symmetrically along thelength of the second interlocking groove relative one another, the firstinterlocking groove structurally corresponds to the second interlockinggroove; and the outsole portion and the modular heel device are shapedto couple together in an inserted state and to separate from one anotherin a removed state, wherein: the outsole portion comprises a pluralityof release actuators that enable transition from the inserted state tothe removed state, in the inserted state, at least one of the pluralityof release actuators, at least one of the plurality of locking tabs andat least one of the plurality of cavities are collectively aligned alonga common axis, and in the inserted state, each of the plurality oflocking tabs are disposed within a corresponding cavity of the pluralityof cavities.
 20. A modular heel footwear system, comprising: an outsoleportion of a footwear article comprising a first interlocking groove,wherein: the first interlocking groove comprises a plurality of cavitiesdisposed therein, and the plurality of cavities are disposedsymmetrically along the length of the first interlocking groove relativeone another; and a modular heel device comprising a second interlockinggroove, wherein: the second interlocking groove comprises a plurality oflocking tabs protruding therefrom that quantitatively correspond to theplurality of cavities, the plurality of locking tabs are disposedsymmetrically along the length of the second interlocking grooverelative one another, and the first interlocking groove structurallycorresponds to the second interlocking groove; and the outsole portionand the modular heel device are shaped to couple together in an insertedstate and to separate from one another in a removed state, wherein: eachof the plurality of locking tabs moves between an extended state and adepressed state via force being applied to one or more springs, theoutsole portion comprises a plurality of release actuators that, whenactuated, place the plurality of locking tabs into the depressed state,and in the inserted state, each of the plurality of locking tabs aredisposed within a corresponding cavity of the plurality of cavities.